adjective
prehistoric
pree-hih-STOR-ik/ˌpriːhɪˈstɔːrɪk/
Belonging to the period before written history.
The prehistoric craftsperson shapes flint beside the hearth.
Etymology
Here historic means “belonging to history,” and pre- places something before recorded history. The boundary is the beginning of written records, not the beginning of past events themselves.
In context
a very special place in a prehistoric landscape.
More examples
- Archaeologists uncover a prehistoric village near the river.
- These fossils help scientists understand prehistoric animals.
- Prehistoric artists painted animals on the cave walls.
Forms
prehistory noun — The period before written records existed.
Similar words
- ancient
- Describes very old things, including those from recorded history.
- primeval
- Emphasizes the earliest ages, especially the natural world's beginnings.